No abstract

This experiment was conducted aiming to introduce and select the suitable winter chickpea to Sulaymaniyah governorate climatic conditions. This study was laid out in RCBD design with eight different varieties (namely, FLIP 97-706C, FLIP 03-87C, FLIP 05-74C, FLIP 05-87C, FLIP 05-110C, FLIP 05-142C, FLIP 05-150C, and local Flip1 varieties), each with three replicates. The results indicated that the FLIP 97-706C variety had the highest yield (3531±2.1 kg ha-1), protein yield (390±0.05 kg ha-1), and weight of 100 seeds (39.0±0.05 g), significantly. Additionally, other introduced varieties also gave noticeably higher yields in comparison to the average global chickpea yield. The suggested varieties can have an important role in increasing and improving chickpea production and quality, especially, the FLIP 97-706C can be among the promising varieties with its large seeds, tall habit, and high yield for this area.

Water productivity is the amount of yield produced for a specific crop per cubic meter of fresh water. It is not determined for majority of crops in Iraq and Kurdistan region of Iraq (KRI) where water shortage compelled farmers to practice modern techniques like drip irrigation and plastic mulch. This study aims to calculate and report the water productivity of watermelon produced using drip irrigation and plastic mulch at a farm scale. Data on the yield, the number of irrigations, the length of each irrigation, as well as the cost and benefit of production were gathered in 2019 from 32 farmers who produced watermelons in a 119 ha area. The mean value was 62 ton ha− 1 for yield, 4,675 m3 ha− 1 for water applied, and 15 kg m− 3 for water productivity. Approximately, 66 liter of water was applied to produce one kilogram of watermelon. A cost-benefit analysis showed that water applied accounted for 11% of the overall production benefits, production expenses for 31%, and net benefits for 58%. It is concluded that the later move from surface irrigation on uncovered soil to drip irrigation and mulching is an important adaptation strategy given the current water shortage in the area.

Water productivity relates to the amount of yield per unit of water used. Water productivity is not reported for most crops in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) where water scarcity recently forces farmers to shift from traditional farming methods including surface irrigation on bare soil to modern practices including drip irrigation and mulch. This study is the first attempt in Iraq and KRI to calculate and report water productivity for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) under drip irrigation with plastic mulch at the farm scale. Data of yield production, the number of irrigation, irrigation duration, and data of cost and benefit of production were collected in 2021 from 32 farmers who produced tomato from an area of 95 ha. The yield, water use, and water productivity were then calculated. The mean values were 82.7 ton ha -1 , 31,083 m 3 ha -1 , and 2.8 kg m -3 for yield, water use, and water productivity, respectively. Hence, to produce 1 kilogram of tomato, 350 liter of water was applied. Farmers irrigate the farms each time 2-3 times longer than in previous years. Thus, this water productivity value is lower than many values reported in the literature for drip irrigation and surface irrigation even, likely due to lower rainfall amount in 2020-21 compared to the previous season. Cost-benefit analysis shows that 21% of production benefits are water use, 14% is production cost and the remaining 65% is a net benefit. Although a substantial amount of water is used, tomato production is a profitable emerging business in the area. The recent shift from surface irrigation on bare soil to drip irrigation and mulch is a successful strategy in adaptation to current water scarcity in the region.

Depending on specimens deposited in the Insect Museum-Directorate of Agriculture Researches, Ministry of Agriculture & Water Resources-Kurdistan Region-Erbil-Iraq , a re-description of the new species for Iraq, Asiopertha nazarena Marseul, 1878 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) was done. A detailed description of adults were presented and the important body parts such as mouthparts, antenna and male genitalia were photographed. All dates and collection locations were mentioned.